Picnic NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (99)
See it if Wonderful characters, writing and acting. Has universal themes despite setting in 50's culture. Coming of age / generational struggles.
Don't see it if You don't like slowly developing character plays where people grow and change.
See it if Despite 50's setting, Cummings' minimalistic staging of Inge's Americana feels wonderfully alive Expert ensemble led by poignant Skinner
Don't see it if It's slow & dated but it's universal themes of love & longing somehow take on mythic proportions here Drifter as catalyst a bit overplayed
See it if Inge at his best. In a class with Williams and O'Neill. Strong cast. clever sets (not quite elaborate) Nice staff at the Judson Church.
Don't see it if you need a super set or an overblown production. Read more
See it if Really incredible acting. Very intimate simple production but incredibly absorbing. An American classic.
Don't see it if If you want more elaborate scenery. Very bare-boned but you don't even notice that since the acting is so absorbing. No need for more Read more
See it if you want to see a play by one of the greats writers ever.
Don't see it if a small set bothers you or if you don't like plays that take place "back in the day" Read more
See it if you love Inge and like new productions, even weak ones
Don't see it if you love Inge and can't stand to see bad productions. Set and lighting were very weak. Didn't do play justice. Young actors were very weak.
See it if You like old fashioned plays by American playwrights. Bad boys. The feeling of dreary Midwestern life is very evident in this production,
Don't see it if You dislike slow moving plots, sparse sets, and desolation. You are depressed about the way your life ended up. Read more
See it if You love theatre and want to learn about one of our great playwrights, and if you want your heart tugged in a way not often available.
Don't see it if Minimal staging and almost old-fashioned storytelling is not your thing.
Critic Reviews (17)
"The shows depict lives in turmoil with deceptive simplicity — an elusive quality that the Transport Group captures in the graceful revivals...Inge's work burst with generous humanity and possessed a sure grasp on the power of intimacy — something these productions skillfully bring to the fore...The productions work well together because Mr. Cummings and his cast are in sync with Inge’s sensibility, aware as he was that understatement is powerful."
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"It’s astonishing how little in the way of artifice is required to create powerful theater. An artful script helps, and William Inge’s 'Picnic' is an oft-revived neo-classic for good reason...In mounting this barebones revival, director Jack Cummings III has managed to sand the edges off any potential villains. Even so, each ordinary Kansan depicted appears to be grappling with forces on the scale of Greek tragedy."
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"These revivals, staged by Jack Cummings III and acted by a first-class ensemble cast, will leave you in no doubt that Inge was one of America’s half-dozen greatest playwrights...Simplicity and intimacy are the keys to these stagings...This kind of bare-bones staging works only if the actors are strong enough not to need to hide behind the production. Mr. Cummings’s cast delivers the goods...In the end, though, Mr. Cummings is the hero of the piece."
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"Two excellent productions featuring a terrific cast that blows the dust off these somewhat dated classics...Jack Cummings III directs these plays with loving detail...Inge's depiction of women is decidedly of its time...But then there's Elless...Elless' performances are, by themselves, worth the price of admission...Cummings can't prevent the plots from veering toward the melodramatic at times, but their power for us today is that they open windows into a past that we often forget existed."
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“Transport Group's superb mounting of both of these plays in repertory is staged by director Jack Cummings III in an intimate environment that allows natural performances and gentle nuances…While Millie's determination to make an independent life for herself is the guts of 'Picnic,' the tragedy lies in Skinner's fascinating Rosemary, who gives off a sexy, carefree vibe until it's finally revealed to her that Howard is not going to marry her...Beautifully subtle glimpses of human longings.”
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"If these productions don't convince you that Inge is one of our finest playwrights, nothing will...Nobody understood the corrosive effects of loneliness better than Inge, and Emily's account of her spinster schoolteacher life is presented with savage exactitude...'Picnic' has a director who understands Inge's play from the inside out and a gifted cast that is alive to the script's tiniest nuances. I've seen three or four productions of 'Picnic,' and this is the finest by far."
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"Despite heavy-handed direction, these revivals of two well-known, insightful and meticulously written works succeed...Inge creates a haunting gallery of individuals struggling with their innermost desires and the class system...With his exceptional physique, great smile and abundant charm, Patterson is perfection as Hal...Mrs. Potts’ warm heart and wisdom are beautifully conveyed by Mac Rae. Michele Pawk gingerly captures the maternal harshness and pragmatism of Flo."
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"As long as people experience emotions of loneliness and regret, these dramas will still be relevant, as Transport Group's William Inge in Rep proves...Some refer to Inge's plays as dated, but I've never found that. The symbolism and parallels between the older and younger characters can be a little heavy-handed, but there is so much truth that still resonates. Cummings has placed both plays in an intimate setting, which makes the sadness even more palpable."
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